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Pharmacy Technician Certificate Programs
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Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Best One Near Hartselle Alabama

Hartselle Alabama female pharmacy tech assisting senior womanHaving decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Hartselle AL, you may be wondering just how to pick the right college to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You may also decide to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Hartselle Alabama female pharmacy technician taking item from shelf

Pharmacy technicians have many job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Hartselle AL pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily duties a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

  • Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
  • Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
  • Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
  • Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
  • Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
  • Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Hartselle Alabama pharmacy technician wearing white lab coatIndividuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Hartselle AL pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Hartselle AL pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Hartselle Alabama woman enrolled in pharmacy tech classes onlineBefore deciding on a pharmacist tech online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Hartselle pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Hartselle AL home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Hartselle AL area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Hartselle residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Hartselle AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Hartselle AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Hartselle AL after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Find out if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Hartselle AL home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Hartselle AL area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Hartselle

Choose the Best Hartselle Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech colleges include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Hartselle Alabama.




 

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